A day passed and then a week and then two and Christine had heard nothing from her angel. She would stare into the mirror for hours hoping that he was staring back, but if he was he showed no sign of it. Madame Giry had grown worried about her state for she had stopped coming to meals and could be heard at all hours of the night singing a strange song about music of the night. Slowly Christine came back to her rehearsals and meals. She knew she had to wait for him this time to make a move and until then there was nothing else to do, but perform. Raoul had been desperately trying to find Christine ever since her return. He would leave countless messages for her, but she never felt a desire to return them. One day he had, had enough.

"I demand that I speak with Christine right now or I will pull my funding from this Opera!" His shouts could be heard all throughout the opera house as Raoul went on a rampage looking for Christine.

"Christine! You must speak with him!" Meg Giry said as she paced around Christine looking worried and nervous. It was time to return to reality.

"Have him meet me in my room Meg, but give me a few minutes, so I can freshen up." Christine said with a small smile on her face.

"That is dreadful Christine! Really, have some self control," but Meg giggled and ran off to fetch Raoul.

She walked into her room checking the mirror's refection out of habit now and went to put on new make-up. She wasn't give much time, because Raoul came bursting through the door with Meg close behind with an apologetic look on her face.

"Raoul how lovely it is to see you again!" Christine hurried over and gave him a small hug and smiled at Meg as she left.

"Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for weeks now, but you didn't respond and no one knew where you had gone." He was truly concerned which was charming, but also annoying, because Christine had not yet decided where she had been while she was with Erik.

"I just needed some time to clear my head, you know with the big performance coming up and all." It was the same answer she had given everyone.

He looked at her skeptically, but saw that there was no chance of getting any more information out of her. "Christine I have to discuss something very important with you."

"Oh, really? What might that be Raoul?"

"My brother has suggested that I enjoy my youth and see the world before I begin to think about settling down. I don't really want to go though."

"Well why not? That sounds amazing to be able to travel the world and see everything you ever wanted to see!" Christine hadn't meant to sound so interested, but she really was.

"I am glad you feel that way Christine. I do not wish to go, because . . . because it would take me away from you."

She wasn't entirely surprised by his words, but she wasn't prepared for them either. He had always made it known that he cared about her, but never had she imagined that he cared that much. He would give up seeing the world and getting a chance to live every dream Christine had ever had just to be with her.

"I'm flattered, but I don't th . . . "

"Christine come with me. You need not worry about the opera or money or anything. I will have everything taken care of for you. Please Christine I need you to come with me."

She wanted nothing more than to see the world and with Raoul who had been her childhood sweetheart, but something kept pulling at her heart.

"Say 'yes' that is all you have to do." He was practically on his knees at her feet begging her to go. He stared at her with his beautiful blue eyes full of promises and youth. Her night in shining armor had come to take her away and she couldn't resist.

"I will go." She said in a hushed voice. "As long as you promise me that they will find a replacement for me in the opera."

"Of course anything! I will take care of it all. We will leave in a week, I hope that isn't too short of notice for you. I'm so pleased that you have decided to come." He took her hand and kissed it lightly. "Thank you Christine. You have no idea what this means to me."

"You are very welcome Raoul. It will be my honor to travel with you."

With that Raoul hurried out of her dressing room rattling off all the preparation he need to attend to before they left, leaving Christine in a state of excitement and dread.

Christine looked back at the mirror searching for his face wondering if Erik had witnessed what had just happened. She didn't know how he would react, if he would even care at all. "What if he hates me" Christine thought to herself. She was upset with herself and hurt that Erik had shown no sign of caring. She was getting what she wanted. Raoul would take her to see the world that she had always dreamed of, but still Erik kept her grounded at the opera house.

"It isn't fair Erik" she no longer cared if he was really there or not, she just needed to talk to him and say what had been eating away at her. "Why do you do this to me? Why must you keep me here as your prisoner when I would go with you willingly? It does not matter now does it? I'm leaving with Raoul and won't be back for months. Is that what you want? Do you want me to leave your opera house? Am I no longer your angel of music?" Christine was in tears by now and inches away from the mirror. Her angry reflection stared back at her, but nothing else. Realizing that Meg may come in asking what Raoul wanted she wiped away her tears and tried to gain her composure.

Erik stared at her through the mirror having heard every word. Tears would not even begin to ease the pain and the rage that wracked his body and wretched at his heart. His angel was leaving him in Hell. He watched as Meg came rushing in throwing a million questions at Christine about her visit with the boy before she realized that there was something wrong with Christine. Christine tried to play it off, but soon broke down. Meg cradled Christine in her arms trying to comfort her friend.

"You know Christine, Raoul could give you a life that most only dream of. Maybe he isn't the love of your life right now, but give him a chance. Leaving the opera house for a few months won't be so bad. We will still be here when you return and we can write to each other while you're gone!" Meg smiled down at Christine who gave a weak smile in return.

"You are right Meg, I'm just afraid to be gone for so long away from everyone and everything I've ever known. This opera house has a spell on me and I feel like I am bound to it forever."

"Oh Christine don't be so dramatic. You will return to your beloved opera house," they both laughed. "I'm starving let's go get something to eat." Meg helped Christine up and the two girls left the room with smiles on their faces, but Erik noticed Christine glance back at the mirror before Meg begged her to come on.

And then she was gone.